Bradford, PA -- The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford men's soccer team was back at home on Tuesday, hosting the Alfred State Pioneers. The Panthers had a strong defensive shape throughout the game, but could not hold off the Pioneers, who scored a pair of 2nd half goals in the 2-0 Pitt-Bradford loss.
The Panther net fell under attack early, but starting goalkeeper Christopher House was up to the task, making a pair of early saves to keep the visitors off the board. Pitt-Bradford was able to hold the Pioneer attack at bay for the next 10 minutes before Kyle Carlsen put a long shot on target, the first of the game for the Panthers. House made another save in the 23rd, but after distributing the ball, had to be relieved due to an injury. He was replaced by freshman Whitaker Sackman, who claimed a few crosses to keep the game tied. Daniel Hartman and Zhennan Sun each had shots from outside the box in the last 10 minutes of the half, but neither could put the shot on target, sending the game to the break scoreless.
Alfred State continued to pressure the Panther goal as the second half began, taking the first four shots of the period. They missed the target on the first three before Sackman made a save in the 54th. Brady Hathaway had the closest chance of the game for the Panthers in the 55th minute, as his looping effort from the corner of the box landed on top of the goal. Pitt-Bradford would rue the missed chance, as the visitors opened the score seconds later. The Pioneers countered after the Hathaway shot and found space down the wing. The Alfred State winger beat the Panther defense to the line and sent a low cross to a teammate near the penalty spot. The Alfred State attacker fired a one-time shot that was blocked, but the Panthers could not gather the rebound, and his next shot was deadly, beating Sackman to the far post.
The Panthers pushed for an equalizer, but could not come up with a strong opportunity. Carlsen had two more shots in the half. One was a free kick that missed wide, while the second forced a diving save out of the Alfred State keeper and won a corner. Bailee Verdill also put a shot on target, while Cole Holland missed a shot wide. With the Panthers pressing forward to find an equalizer late in the match, Alfred STate was able to counter and double their lead with a 4-on-2 break in the 88th. Verdill had one final effort in the final seconds of the game, but his shot was caught.
Kyle Carlsen led the Panthers with 3 shots, putting 2 of them on frame. Bailee Verdill took two shots and also had two on goal. Cole Holland, Brady Hatahway, Daniel Hartman, and Zhennan Sun all had shots that missed the target. Christopher House played the first 25 minutes of the game in goal for the Panthers. He made 3 early saves, but was forced off by injury. He was replaced by Whitaker Sackman, who made 2 saves in the remainder of the game.
The Panthers fall to 4-6-1 on the season with the loss and a 0-2 record in AMCC play. The Panthers will remain at home this weekend and host Pitt-Greensburg. The game will be played under the lights at Rathburn Family Field this Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
